Iron’s radical turn around changes minds

By CandH’s top blogger Allen Cummings

I’m not one who makes for the exits immediately the referee blows the final whistle.

I tend to hang around a while for a chat with those around me. That’s why I know from experience Tomas Soucek is almost always the last to leave the field of play – whatever the result of the game.

The big man, without fail, does a slow walk around to show his appreciation to the crowd left in the stadium. Saturday evening was no different – Tomas even took time to step over the barrier in front of the Bobby Moore Lower, where I sit, to embrace a fellow Czech displaying the national flag – and of course have the obligatory selfie.

It was a moment of delight for the fan – and judging by his expression, similarly for Tomas. The look on his face told a story – delight at a victory for the team – and delight that he had just enjoyed without doubt his best 90 minutes so far this season in a West Ham shirt – certainly this season.

Our Czech No 28 is a really likeable guy, rarely seen without a smile on his face – but beyond the brave exterior, this season has been difficult in the extreme for him in a playing sense.

A succession of disappointing performances for both club and country – the only highlight being the goal he scored against the spuds a few weeks ago to earn West Ham a valuable point.

As pleasing as that was to us all, especially against ‘them’, Tomas was running out of time with many supporters. The clamour for him to be dropped was growing ever louder, and with it so too was the criticism of David Moyes for sticking by his man.

That the manager put his faith in Soucek yet again on Saturday wasn’t exactly greeted with universal approval. Many wouldn’t have had him in their team to face Wolverhampton Wanderers. But the decision paid off and Moyes reaped the reward for his loyalty to his man.

Soucek playedg a significant role in our first home victory of the season in the Premier League. No-one is suggesting the big man has turned his season around on the evidence of one game. But it was a big step in a big game that helped produce an equally big result for him personal and the team collectively.

Where we go from here remains to be seen. But in a time of significant U-turns, maybe there are a few who are now having second thoughts about the future of Tomas Soucek.